Carole leads the Ladies to victory in the Horseshoe

The two Presidents, Carole Quinn and Bertie Shaw, select the teams and the match is played on the evening before President’s Day.

The Ladies won in 2009 in the most dramatic fashion and they were determined to keep the Horseshoe hanging above their locker room door.

As it transpired, the 2010 competition was just as intriguing as the previous year.

This is how the match unfolded:

Denise McBrien was the only lady winner in the first seven games. Sydney Pepper, Paul Magennis, Kieran Magennis, John McDowell and Alex Clarke all won for the men. Paul McAleavey and Susan Magennis halved their game.

At this stage, the men were ahead by four and looking good.

The Ladies hit back with wins from Teresa McConville, Marianne Nelson, Liz Armstrong and Hilda Caughey. The men were dumbfounded as the scores were now level.

Back came the men with two good wins from Ian Boyce and Sean McGreevey.

Joe Glass halved with Una McSherry and Laurence Bramall finished level with Rita Downey.

After 15 games, the men led by two. And there were only five games left.

The excitement mounted as Robena McCandless and Mary Longmore came in with wins and the overall score was level once again.

Gerry Blevins put the men in front again but it didn’t last for long. Marlene Nelson beat Morris Phillips and, for the second year running, the result depended on the final game between the two presidents.

And, would you believe it, Carole Quinn came out on top once again. She beat Bertie Shaw 3 and 1 and that was the signal for major celebrations from the ladies’ branch.

It was a fabulous evening’s fun and the Ladies fully deserved their victory. The men will get over it, but it will take some time.